Large as this planet is, it’s amazing how easily proponents of similar sounds seem to connect with one another. It’s tempting to attribute this phenomenon to the Internet. Really, though, it’s been happening since Underground Resistance first hooked up with the crew at Tresor, or Richie Hawtin met Speedy J. Cuttin, Samplin, Housin Part One, the sixth 12″ for Geography Records, sees the Malmö-based label stretching its reach further than ever before. All the way to Salerno, Italy, where Giovanni Damico runs his own White Rabbit Recordings. And clearly, there’s plenty of cross-over between the two hubs.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Damico has same sound nailed, one that’s equal parts playful, elegant, and energetic. As the title implies, it’s also heavily indebted to samples. “Girl, I’ll never stop lovin’ you,” croons “Fella on a Cloud,” among cascading chimes and tocking rimshots. Its masterful combination of complexity and balance — where nothing is overpowering anything else — feels reminiscent of Julius Steinhoff. Somewhat lopsided, the nimble bass and chords of “Atypical Noise” are similarly well-arranged. On the flip, Damico sounds more like Real Cool, perhaps Geography’s best signing to date. With its catchy “I’m not touching it!” refrain, “Glad You Here” is the record’s most obvious anthem, and reflects the duo’s joyous approach to production, especially with the sneaky acid line that shades out the background. Up last, the title track’s flabby drums foster a mellower groove, stark sax peals accenting various synths as they ebb and flow. It closes an impressively rounded EP from the Italian, one that is yet another worthy addition to Geography’s quality-over-quantity catalog. One can only guess what thrills Part Two will hold.